Introduction to microfluidics for developing countries

Why diagnostics for developing countries?

To improve health care in developing countries, diagnostic devices are needed to pinpoint which therapies should be delivered to a patient population.  Although new drugs and vaccines are urgently needed for developing countries, the lack of low-cost and portable diagnostics has hampered efforts to deliver existing drugs to those in needed.  A number of non-profit organizations are focusing on the general challenge of diagnostics for developing countries (such as PATH in Seattle and FIND in Geneva), and funding agencies (such as Gates Foundation) are devoting funds to this research. 

Why microfluidics?

Microfluidics is the technology of moving tiny amounts of fluids in a small microchip.  As such, it has the potential to miniaturize the many complex instruments of a clinical testing laboratory onto the size of a handheld credit card.  Most research so far on microfluidics has used high-cost and complex instruments for fluid actuation and detection, and no system so far - despite the promise - has come close to the cost demands of settings in developing countries.  Research is emerging now to develop microfluidic devices specifically for use in developing countries, but a number of technological challenges exist.